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APPEALS FROM KIDDERMINSTER CFRs
Wednesday 13th July – 10.55pm – Chris Kowalik
The new co-ordinator of a Community First Responder group in
north Worcestershire has unveiled ambitious plans to strengthen
their ability to respond to medical emergencies.
Leanne Goode from Kidderminster leads the Kidderminster
Community First Responders, a group of ordinary members of the
public who are trained to a nationally recognised standard by West
Midlands Ambulance Service in life-saving techniques including the
use of a defibrillator (a device used to restart the heart of
someone who has suffered a cardiac arrest).
The 27 year old lifeguard from the Franche area of Kidderminster
became a CFR seven months ago saying: “I wanted to help the
community and give something back to them. I would also like to
become a paramedic in the future and the experience I gain as a CFR
would help in my studying for a paramedic degree.”
Leanne is one of two CFRs in Kidderminster. The other is 38 year
old childminder Karen Rundle from the Spennells area of the town.
She qualified as a CFR in May of this year. She said: “I’ve had a
lot of operations on the NHS and I decided it was time to give
something back. I too am on the road to training as a
paramedic.”
Tasked by West Midlands Ambulance Service, the CFRs are sent to
medical emergencies to provide immediate help while an ambulance
resource is en-route. The Kidderminster CFR scheme currently has a
total of eight volunteers living throughout Wyre Forest covering
the whole of the district.
To help them get to medical emergencies more quickly, Leanne has
appealed for help in getting a scheme car. She said: “At the moment
we respond in our own vehicles, but having a scheme car would help
us get to medical emergencies more quickly. West Midlands Ambulance
Service would install an Airwave Digital Radio giving us direct
communication with their control room, just like any of their
ambulances or rapid response vehicles. The radio would also track
the movement of the vehicle it is in, so the control room would
know exactly where we are and can send us to a medical emergency
when they know we are the nearest available resource. Having a
scheme car would also help raise the profile of Community First
Responders and the work we do. We would appeal to any companies who
may be able to provide us with a vehicle, or help us in our
fundraising for one.
“We would also appeal for more volunteers to train up as CFRs.
There is nothing more satisfying than being able to save someone’s
life.”
Kidderminster CFRs get the full support of ambulance staff at
the town’s ambulance station. Nick Montandon, Manager of
Kidderminster Ambulance Station said: “Community First Responders
provide a very valuable service; giving essential life-saving
treatment to those in need. Their close proximity, availability and
local knowledge are among their many assets, particularly in
outlying areas. They can provide vital medical treatment and
reassurance while an ambulance resource is on its way.”
If you would like to become a Community First Responder, contact
Noel Orbell Community Response Manager on 07980 094808, or the CFR
Admin office on 01743 273677 or CFRAdmin@wmas.nhs.uk
Kidderminster CFRs are part of Herefordshire and Worcestershire
Community First Responder Scheme; a registered charity (number
1124035). To donate to the cause, send a cheque, payable to
“Hereford and Worcester Community Responders” to West Midlands
Ambulance Service, CFR Admin Office, Shrewsbury Ambulance Station,
Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury SY2 6LX.
Ends
Pictured left to right: Nick Montandon, Leanne Goode, Keith
Lawley (paramedic), Karen Rundle, Dave Willetts (paramedic).